Shaun Chamberlin

Author • Ex-chair of the Ecological Land Co-op • XR mastodon admin (npub1zve…w3ql) arrestee • Consulting scholar to https://otherWise.one • Resident of #TheHappyPig, Éire • Savourer

Big tech & AI free
#DarkOptimism #SurvivingTheFuture #LeanLogic #ConversationsForOurTime

Website: https://darkoptimism.org
The best thing ever!: https://leanlogic.online
My physical community: https://darkoptimism.org/projects#TheHappyPig
My online community — join us :): https://survivingthefuture.darkoptimism.org/

Last Notes

2026-09-01 10:32:41 GMT

It brings me a deep satisfaction to learn that those on the frontlines of the war against data centres are drawing inspiration from my late mentor #DavidFleming's compelling, realistic vision of a sequel to the growth-based industrial system!
(even if he only thought it would come about post-collapse)
"And so, the people came."
https://impakter.com/the-war-against-data-centers/

2026-08-18 15:58:08 GMT

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The late David Fleming absolutely — and entertainingly — nailed the nature of such "appeals to inevitability":
https://leanlogic.online/distraction/

2026-08-17 16:54:25 GMT

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In solidarity! ✊🏼
https://media.mstdn.social/media_attachments/files/117/111/877/275/656/891/original/2c6d5680a8144bd9.jpg

2026-08-11 12:30:20 GMT

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So if a substantial part of the *point* of AI is its exceptional surveillance harvesting, rather than any productivity, maybe it's worth the cost to the orifice class?
It doesn't need to be profitable, any more than hiring mercenaries or building Flock cameras needs to be profitable.
AI is *incredibly* pricey, sure, but what price becoming everyone's trusted friend, confidant, advisor, walletholder, AND the interface they have to use to access any services?
#surveillancewetdream

2026-06-20 20:59:40 GMT

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Kirkpatrick Sale's book "Rebels against the future : the Luddites, their war on the Industrial Revolution, and lessons for the computer age" is pure :nes_fire:

2026-06-04 11:22:22 GMT

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By the same logic your claim that "it isn't easily determined" whether Fairphones are built with more ethical practices than Foxconn could be said to undermine the supply chain ethics movement.
I would NOT say that, despite finding your claim deeply questionable.
Because offering a product with a different focus — as you do — is something that I greatly value and appreciate, albeit I chose to prioritise the wellbeing of those affected by the supply chain over my own security.

2026-06-04 11:16:21 GMT

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Interested to see when they misled people about Signal, do you have a link?
Though this constant overwhelming hostility towards /e/OS kinda puts me off Graphene, even though it's absolutely what I would use if I needed top-level security.
In terms of badmouthing it's clear that it's hard to mention /e/OS anywhere without you doing so.
I also value that they honestly state that they are not as secure as Graphene, rather than seeing that as "undermining the privacy movement".

2026-06-03 21:53:12 GMT

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We all do. I've been on /e/OS (https://mastodon.social/@e_mydata) for six years now, and I can report that it was a LOT less scary than I anticipated. Good people have done the work to make this easier for us.
In case you need some encouragement, here's what Google's terms of service actually say:
https://tosdr.org/en/service/217
And here's their business model!
https://blog.rebeltechalliance.org/know-your-enemy-pt-1-google/
You got this ✊🏼

2026-06-03 11:23:53 GMT

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Ah, sorry to hear that Chris. Yeah, fingers crossed, and at least you can install @npub1kwa…e0nj on your Pixel :)

2026-02-04 12:14:52 GMT

#FiltonSix NOT GUILTY or NO VERDICT on all counts!!!
All not guilty of aggravated burglary.
Samuel Corner also no verdict causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
No convictions. My God, the relief!!
Let's not forget that contrary to British law they have spent 17 months in prison and 2 months on trial, without being found guilty of anything.
Bail hearings for all at 2pm (potential retrial on "no verdict" counts).
More here:
https://realmedia.press/filton-verdict/
#FiltonSix #Filton24

2026-01-20 19:26:57 GMT

The UK government just v quietly released a stunning 9 page report on
'GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY LOSS, ECOSYSTEM COLLAPSE & NATIONAL SECURITY':
"Every critical ecosystem is on a pathway to collapse (irreversible loss of function beyond repair)".
"Global ecosystem degradation and collapse threaten UK national security & prosperity".
"The impacts will range from crop failures, intensified natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks to conflict within & between states."
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696e0eae719d837d69afc7de/National_security_assessment_-_global_biodiversity_loss__ecosystem_collapse_and_national_security.pdf

2025-10-20 16:22:50 GMT

Wow this is a powerful piece from @npub1fdr…lvhs on Apple/Google/Microsoft's capitulation to #DonaldTrump;
the profound, unfolding dangers of continuing to use their software;
and what we collectively need to do about it.
The Mad King's Digital Killswitch:
https://pluralistic.net/2025/10/20/post-american-internet/